Pipe-laying tool



Sept. 26, 1944.

R. L. TAYLOR FIFE LAYING TOOL Filed Jan. 17, 1944 INVENTOR. REJJEPT L.T-.::L 1 1r:l1

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I IPE-LAYING TOOL Robert Landon. Taylor, McEwen, Tenn. Application January 17, 1944, Serial No. 518,616

- Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for transporting and laying pipes and. the like, such as culvert pipes in cuts and trenches.

Concrete culvert pipe is manufactured in sections of three or four feet in length and of various diameters, but all sizes present substantially the same problem in installation. To be properly installed, the joints must be aligned with each other and be fitted closely together. As the sections are often heavy and their shape offers little opportunity for tools, jacks or other mechanical means to be used to fit them together, their manipulation offers a problem.

The usual method in handling such pipe sections, is to slide the sections, by hand, as closely together as possible, and then, with bars and chains, complete the fitting of the joints (either bell-end or tongue-and-groove pipe). This method is slow and costly as it requires a number of men and the slipping of chain or bar may result in damage to the pipe or injury to workers.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a hand tool for aiding in laying or installing pipe sections, whereby the sections may be laid more expeditiously and more accurately, yet with less danger to workmen and material than with the conventional methods.

Another major object is to provide a pipe laying tool which is inexpensive to manufacture, has few parts, is relatively small and includes no gears, springs, or like easily broken elements. In fact, the tool proper comprises but one part and two additional parts are associated therewith, dependent in length according to the diameter of the pipe sections.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and in which drawing,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the novel tool.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged mostly fragmentary, horizontal substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section upon substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the new tool, showing one method of using it with pipe sections.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of pipe showing the forward end of the novel tool associated therewith.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of pipe with the new tool used in moving one pipe section.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and. wherein similar reference characand may be a section of rigid metal pipe, which may be open at its free or rearward end l6, and arcuate at its forward end I! so that it may be welded as at I! or otherwise suitably secured to the cross arms I2.

The cross arms l2 may comprise a single lengthof suitable rigid metal pipe, smaller than the handle portion in length, but of substantially the same exterior circumference as the latter. This length of pipe is arranged, with respect to the handle portion, so that each arm I2 is of substantially the same length. As may be gathered from the above and seen in Fig. l, the longitudinal axes of the arms 12 are normal to the longi-' tudinal axis of the handle portion. Preferably, the bore IQ of the length of suitable rigid metal pipe constituting the arms, is smooth and continuous.

As for the socketed lug portion l3, this may be a short length of suitable rigid metal pipe, having an arcuate lower end 20 so that it may be attached to the handle portion l I as by welding, shown at 2|. Its upper end 22 is open. This lug portion 13 is disposed, preferably, with its longitudinal axis normal to both the longitudinal axes of the handle portion H and arms l2. Associated with the cross arms I2 is the cylindrical member I5, slidable and rotatable therein, being longer than the single length of metal pipe com-' prising these arms so that, when the member 15 is within the arms [2, its ends 23 will project beyond the arms 12. This member [5 will vary in length. Its function is to extend transversely of the pipe to be moved, with the length somewhat less than the interior diameter of the pipe and, because pipes of different diameters may be engaged by the tool, this member [5 will, consequently, have to be of a length to extend transversely of the pipe and below the longitudinal axis thereof, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and particularly in Fig. 5, where the longitudinal axis of the member I5 is the chord of the arc BC of the interior surface of the wall of the pipe.

The extremities v24 of the ends 23 engage the interior surface of the pipe wall.

The handle portion II is, preferably, elongated In addition, associated with socketed lug portion I3 is the rigid member l4 which may be a short length of metal pipe adapted to fit snugly within the lug portion and project therefrom with the extremity 25 of its upper end 26 adapted to engage the inner surface of the pipe wall when the new tool is canted, as in Figs. 4 and 6. The length of the member M will vary, as is apparent.

Shown by way of illustration, are several sections 30, 3|, 32, 33 and 34 of pipe having conventional tongue and groove ends. In Fig. 4 the workman is shown as moving sections 38 and 3| with portions of the novel tool within and contacting both sections 30 and 3!, as he slides them toward the laid section 32 which is joined to the laid section 33. In Fig. 6 is shown a single pipe section 34 with the new tool employed to slide it either forwardly or backwardly or roll it sideways.

It is also apparent that two of the novel tools, inserted at opposite ends of a pipe section may be employed by two workmen to raise the-section above a surface and carry it. The novel tool may also be employed to tip, over, on end, a pipe section.

If the tool is employed with a particularly long section of pipe, an extension of the handle portion I may be provided by a bar (not shown) slid into the open freeend of the handle portion, to extend therefrom.

Of course, in inserting the forward end of the tool into a pipe section, theworkman first inserts the tool somewhat horizontally, so that the upwardly-extending portion I3 and arms I2 clear the interior surface of the pipe wall and then, as the forward end is lowered, withthe arms l2 horizontal, the extremities 24 of the member l will engage this surface. Thereupon, the tool can be rotated upwardly, as the member l5 acts asa pivot, until the extremity 25 of the member l4 also contacts the uppermost point of the interior surface of the pipe wall. With this three-point contact, and slight upward pressure upon the tool handle, the pipe can be readily moved.

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a pipe moving tool, a substantially T- shaped body comprising an elongatedhandle portion. and cross arms at the forward end of said handle portion, a sprocketed portion secured to and extending wholly above said handle portion, with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axes of said handle portion and cross arms,v disposed intermediate said cross arms and the free end of said handle portion and a rigid" member disposed within said socketed portion and projecting therefrom.

2. In a pipe laying hand tool, a substantially T-shaped body comprising an elongated handle portion and tubular cross arms provided with open ends, a. lug portion secured to said handle portion, with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axes of said handle portion and cross arms, disposed intermediate said cross arms and the free end of said handle portion, and a cylindrical body within said cross arms, slidably and rotatable therein and extending outwardly therefrom.

3. In a pipe laying hand tool, an elongated handle portion; two like arm portions extending from said handle portion with their longitudinal axes coincident, and normal to the longitudinal axis of said body portion, said arm portions having circular openings at their outer ends; means for engaging the interior surface of a pipe, comprising a socketed portion secured to said body portion intermediate its ends, with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axes of said arms and body portions, and a rigid member within said socket and extending outwardly therefrom, having a pipe-engaging outer end; and a second means for engaging the interior surface of a pipe comprising arigid member extending outwardly from. said openings and having pipe-engaging outer ends.

4. In a pipe laying hand tool, an elongated handle portion; two like tubular arm portions extending from said handle portion with their longitudinal axes coincident, and normal to the longitudinal axis of said body portion, said arm portions having circular openings at their outer ends; means for engaging the interior surface of a pipe, comprising a socketed portion secured to said body portion intermediate its ends, with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axes of said arms and body portions, and a rigid member within said socket and extending outwardly therefrom, having a pipe-engaging outer end; and a second means for engaging the interior surface of a. pipe comprising a rigid cylindrical member extending outwardly from said.

openings and having pipe-engaging outer ends, said last named member being slidable and rotatable in said openings.

5. In a pipe laying, hand tool, an elongated.

handle portion; two like tubular arm portions extending from said handle portion with their a pipe, comprising a socketed portion secured to said body portion intermediate its ends, with its longitudinal axis normal to the longitudinal axes of said arms and body portions, and a rigid member within said socket and extending outwardly therefrom, having a pipe-engaging outer end; and a second means for engaging the interior surface of a pipe comprising a rigid cylindrical member extending outwardly from said openings and having pipe-engaging outer ends said last named member being slidable and rotatable in said openings, being of a length appreciably less than the interior diameter of a pipe being laid and with its longitudinal, axis coincident with the chord of an arc of said surface.

ROBERT LANDON TAYLOR. 

